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I've gotten an inquiry from an EmpowHER member, and need your help to assist her. She sought a second opinion from a new urologist who has recommended the use of Botox injections to treat her bladder spasms. Her primary urologist says he will not do this procedure because he doesn't believe there is enough data available. The treatment is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
She would really like to know if any of you have tried this, and what type of experience you had. Did the process help you? If so, for how long? Was it a treatment of last resort? Would you recommend it to others? Why or why not?
I've done some initial research, and learned that while this isn't an FDA-approved treatment it is being used successfully for some patients. According to the Mayo Clinic, Botox is sometimes injected into the muscles of the bladder to treat incontinence because it blocks the release of chemicals which cause muscle spasms. The injection is given under anesthesia and is effective for nine months to a year. Following are links to Mayo Clinic articles about this procedure:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/urinary-incontinence/treatment.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/bladder-control-problems/WO00123
In addition, the following links also provide information on the use of Botox to control painful bladder spasms:
http://www2.wfubmc.edu/articles/Continence+Center/
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0CYD/is_20_37/ai_93531942/
http://www.news-medical.net/news/2007/12/05/33254.aspx
http://www.poise.com/Learn/LifeAndHealth/BladderHealth/BotoxHelp.aspx
Since this treatment is not approved by the FDA, it's not usually covered by insurance. Some references said the cost was about $300 per injection, and length of time cited for the treatment's effectiveness was generally cited as between six to nine months.
If any of you can offer information that will assist this member it would be greatly appreciated.
All user-generated information on this site is the opinion of its author only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. Members and guests are responsible for their own posts and the potential consequences of those posts detailed in our Terms of Service.
Add a Comment38 Comments
I didn't have that problem before and botox hasn't effected my active sex life at all. I just had another treatment. It seems to be working better and better each time. It really has worked great for me.
March 25, 2016 - 6:34amThis Comment
I agree with the fist two comments, It was a BIG mistake!!!!!!
February 14, 2015 - 7:51pmThis Comment
Why was it unsuccessful for you?
March 14, 2015 - 6:04pmThis Comment
I had Botox shots over 2 months ago. I was given 15 shots and they were covered by my insurance company. I now wake up every 2 hers and still have to urinate, BUT I now have to Catherine myself to do it! I was told by my urologist that it might take up to 7 more months before the Botox wears off! I am very frustrated. I feel like I am sitting on a hornets nest. I am beyond sorry to have undertaken this procedure. I am truly happy that some women have gotten relief. I am not one of them. The only positive to got from this is instead of every hour during the nite to urinate I am getting up every 2hrs. My doctor also wants to try the shots again. I say NO WAY! Anyone have this procedure done more than once and has had success, please respond. Thank You in advance.
November 27, 2014 - 2:54pmThis Comment
I HAD BOTOX AUG THIS YEAR, AN ITS BEEN MY WORSE NIGHTMARE, IVE BEEN LEFT UNABLE TO GO TOILET MYSELF, IM CATHERTISNG MYSELF TWICE A DAY NOW, IHAD MORE INFECTIONS THEN ENOUGH IN BLADDER, WOULD NEVER RECKONMEND, CANT WAIT FOR IT TOO WEAR OFF, I JUST HOPE THERE IS NO PERMANT DAMAGE AND I CAN GO BACK TO NOT USING CATHS, AS THEY ARE THE RESULT OF BLADDER INFECTIONS, DOC SAID I CANT HAVE ANY MORE ANTIBIOTICS AS MY BODY IS GETTING USED TO THEM , GLAD THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT IT HAS WORKED ,BUT FOR ME NO WAY EVER WILL I DO IT AGAIN, SHOULD HAVE STUCK TO MY REISTANCE OF NOT WANTING THE BOTOX INSTED OF BEING TOLD OF THE TREATMENT, WHICH I WASNT FULLY GIVEN THE FACTS, I:E, HAVING TO SELF CATHERTISE , NO WAY WOULD I HAVE AGREED KNOWING THAT
November 20, 2015 - 7:53amThis Comment
Hi there.. I'm so sorry for your bad experience..I've had it done twice now. The first time under General anaesthetic as I had trans vaginal tape procedure along with the botox injections..( I was born with spinabideda ) ..from being almost completely in continent to not .changed my life completely.. after a year the leaking came back again..not as bad but every day...two days ago I had botox again.. thirty injections. I was awake n the whole procedure took about 15 mins. Uncomfortable but not painful. I'm ever hopeful .I've been told it can take up to 5 days to kick in . I do self catheterise. For me it has been life changing
July 3, 2015 - 2:03amThis Comment
Hello! I'm sorry the procedure was unsuccessful for you. I do have a couple questions, though, if you don't mind. Are you saying you get the urge to urinate about every 2 hours but can't relieve yourself normally? Why don't you just leave the catheter in, instead of inserting it every time you have to go? This is how it was presented to my mom, that it would stay in and need to be changed every week or so.
Thanks for all your help!
March 14, 2015 - 6:10pmThis Comment
I had botox injections treat an overactive bladder, it's made no difference to the amount of time I need to urinate. I now have to self catherterise every Two hours including through the night, which is much worse as I have to clean myself each time, and organise all the other paraphernalia associated with self catheterization. I am desperate, as I am unable to have a reasonable nights sleep.
June 10, 2014 - 5:14amThis Comment
Hello. i had botox for an oa bladder last june and it has changed my life. The procedure itself was a bit uncomfortable sometimes painful depending on where the bladder was injected. My consultant told me that when the botox started to wear off to ring his secretary and arrange for the procedure to be done again. I went in yesterday to have the botox again. Its not a cure and i might need to have repeat injections for a while yet. However putting up with the discomfort during the procedure is well worth the benifits of the botox. I am from the Uk.
April 5, 2014 - 1:28amThis Comment
I am considering getting Botox for my bladder problems. Vesicare and Myrbetriq have not worked for me. I am really scared to try this. If anyone has any recent experiences with Botox I would love to hear about it--good or bad. I live in Canada and have Blue Cross coverage (and pay over $300 per month for this) but have been told this Botox procedure is not covered. I hear it can cost over $1000 and lasts anywhere from 6 months to 18 months. I do not have that kind of money . It seems like I may have to put up with this the rest of my life. I may not even be a candidate for this as I have suffered and still suffer from urinary tract infections. I see my urologist tomorrow.
January 19, 2014 - 4:24pmThis Comment